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  • Hon. Kerryne Z James selected as a 2026 Young Global Leader

    Hon. Kerryne Z James selected as a 2026 Young Global Leader

    Kerryne Z James, Grenada’s Member of Parliament for St John and Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, has earned a coveted spot as a 2026 Young Global Leader, joining an exclusive international cohort of trailblazers celebrated for their impact across public service, governance, innovation, and social progress.

    This appointment marks a historic milestone for the Caribbean nation, bringing one of its rising young female political voices into a global network focused on building more inclusive, accountable, and forward-thinking leadership across every sector and region.

    James’ selection carries particular weight for global conversations around youth and gender representation in governance. As one of the youngest women ever to hold elected and ministerial office in Grenada, her career trajectory underscores the critical importance of carving out intentional space for young people — and especially young women — to contribute meaningfully to national decision-making, public policy design, and international diplomacy.

    The honor also reflects the gravity and impact of the ministerial portfolio James stewards, which sits at the heart of the most pressing development challenges facing Grenada and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In her role, she has led progress on core national priorities spanning climate resilience building, renewable energy transition, strengthened environmental governance, post-disaster recovery, climate adaptation planning, loss and damage strategy, and the mobilization of critical climate finance.

    Her leadership has spanned both domestic and global stages: at home, she has advanced robust policy frameworks and implementation agendas, while abroad she represents Grenada in high-stakes regional and global discussions centered on climate justice, affordable sustainable energy, systemic resilience, and equitable development cooperation. Her work has cemented Grenada’s global visibility not just as a vulnerable small island state responding to climate risk, but as a proactive architect of practical solutions for resilience, environmental sustainability, and long-term national transformation.

    James’ approach to leadership is also shaped by her dual mandate as a cabinet minister and local constituency representative. As MP for St John, she maintains close, ongoing ties to the daily realities of local communities, grappling firsthand with on-the-ground challenges ranging from infrastructure gaps and economic empowerment to livelihood support, youth opportunity, and grassroots development. This direct engagement with constituents has fostered a leadership style that balances big-picture vision with grounded pragmatism, pairing global perspective with consistent responsiveness to local needs.

    At a moment when young people worldwide are demanding greater representation, accountability, and moral courage from their leaders, James’ selection highlights the immense value of generational leadership rooted in public service, adaptive resilience, and clear purpose. It also amplifies the often-overlooked contribution that young leaders from small states can bring to global dialogues on development, equity, sustainability, and democratic participation.

    The Young Global Leaders community, curated by the World Economic Forum, brings together standout individuals from government, business, civil society, academia, technology, and the creative industries, all united by a commitment to tackling complex global challenges and strengthening public-interest leadership. Through this new platform, James will gain access to collaborative engagement with an international network of decision-makers, innovators, and thought leaders working across all areas of global development.

    For Grenada, this recognition creates a new opportunity to reaffirm the country’s longstanding commitment to youth empowerment, women’s political leadership, and inclusive governance. It also serves as tangible proof that leadership from small island developing states can carry profound global relevance when rooted in clear vision, disciplined execution, public service, and dedication to inclusive national development.

    Throughout her career, James has used her public platform to consistently advocate for stronger representation of young people and women in leadership, particularly in the spaces where policy decisions shape the future of communities, economies, and coming generations. Her own leadership journey continues to stand as a powerful example of what becomes possible when young women are not just invited, but trusted, supported, and empowered to lead at the highest levels of government.

    Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy has hailed the selection as a source of national pride, calling it a meaningful validation of the global impact of young Grenadian leadership. Beyond marking a personal milestone for James, her appointment as a 2026 Young Global Leader serves as a critical reminder that young people — and especially young women — must not merely be included in leadership spaces; they must be given the trust, support, and autonomy to help shape those spaces themselves.

  • Strong winds advisory: Saturday, 16 May (1 pm)

    Strong winds advisory: Saturday, 16 May (1 pm)

    The Grenada Meteorological Service has issued an official advisory as it continues to monitor moderate to strong wind conditions across the island nation, driven by a sharp contrast in atmospheric pressure across the region. According to meteorological analysis, a tight pressure gradient formed between a strong 1031 millibar high-pressure system positioned over the Atlantic Ocean and a 1008 millibar low-pressure system located off northern Colombia is the primary force sustaining these intense wind conditions across the Eastern Caribbean.

    For the island of Grenada specifically, the forecast through the duration of this event calls for generally fair overall weather, but sustained windy and hazy conditions will persist alongside the stable air mass. Compounding the wind-related risks, a formal marine advisory remains in effect, as forecasters project that powerful easterly swells will generate open-ocean waves reaching heights of up to 9 feet.

    Meteorologists have outlined multiple potential hazards that residents and visitors should prepare for in the coming days. On land, gusty strong winds are capable of dislodging unsecured loose objects, sending them flying into pedestrian or vehicle pathways. The sustained wind speeds also raise the risk of snapping tree branches and felling entire unstable trees across the island. At sea, the combination of strong winds and large swells will create choppy, moderate to rough sea conditions that pose threats to multiple groups, including local commercial and recreational fishermen, beachgoers gathered along exposed coastlines, operators of small sailboats, and all other users of small watercraft.

    In its public advisory, the Meteorological Service has urged all people in Grenada to exercise key precautions to avoid injury or property damage. Residents are advised to remain alert for falling broken branches, toppled trees, and airborne loose debris while traveling or spending time outdoors. For marine users, the agency emphasizes extra caution for vulnerable small craft, particularly during periods of high tide when water levels amplify already dangerous sea conditions.

    This advisory was issued jointly through coordination with the Grenada Airports Authority (MBIA). NOW Grenada, the distributor of this advisory, notes that it holds no responsibility for the content or opinions of third-party contributor materials, and directs users to official reporting channels to flag any abusive content related to this weather update.

  • Senator says Rising Electricity Bills Result of Government Inaction on Renewable Energy

    Senator says Rising Electricity Bills Result of Government Inaction on Renewable Energy

    Growing public frustration over skyrocketing living costs in Antigua and Barbuda has boiled over into political friction, after opposition Senator Jonathan Wehner launched a scathing attack on the current administration, blaming years of unfulfilled renewable energy pledges for the latest surge in household electricity bills.

    Wehner’s critique came just days after the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) confirmed it would raise its monthly fuel variation charge by 70 cents per kilowatt hour for the month of May. Introduced in July 2024, this variable charge is adjusted on a rolling basis to track shifts in global fossil fuel prices, which feed directly into the nation’s electricity generation costs. This most recent adjustment, triggered by continued volatility in international energy markets, has pushed already strained household budgets even further.

    At the heart of Wehner’s argument is a damning accusation: the ruling Antigua Barbuda Labour Party has failed to deliver on a decade-long promise to pivot the nation’s energy sector away from expensive, volatile fossil fuels toward affordable renewable sources. Wehner recalled that the party first pledged large-scale investment in renewable energy back in 2014, with the explicit goal of insulating local consumers from the swings of global oil markets. But after 12 years, the senator claimed that almost no meaningful progress has been made toward that transition.

    “It is ordinary citizens and long-term residents who are now paying the price for this administration’s inaction,” Wehner stated in the wake of APUA’s announcement. “The higher fuel charge directly translates to even higher electricity bills, adding more pressure to families already struggling with a soaring cost of living.”

    Wehner went on to note that targeted, sustained investment in solar, wind and other domestic renewable energy projects would have drastically cut the nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, reducing its exposure to global price shocks and protecting consumers from sudden rate hikes. He also cast doubt on the impact of past government-backed renewable energy initiatives, including previous public solar programs, demanding greater transparency and accountability for public funds allocated to these projects, and questioning whether they have delivered any tangible benefits for consumers.

    The senator’s remarks align with a broader wave of public discontent across Antigua and Barbuda, where households and small businesses alike have reported growing financial strain from rising utility costs and general inflation. Energy policy, and the long-delayed transition to renewables, has emerged as a key flashpoint in the country’s political discourse as cost of living continues to dominate public concern.

  • The impact of the magnitude 6.5 earthquake on Antigua and Barbuda

    The impact of the magnitude 6.5 earthquake on Antigua and Barbuda

    A magnitude 6.5 earthquake has hit the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, triggering widespread disruptions and prompting urgent response efforts from local authorities and regional partners. The seismic event, which struck at an undersea location relatively close to the main island of Antigua, sent tremors that were felt across the Eastern Caribbean, with neighboring islands including St. Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, and Montserrat also reporting light shaking.

    Early reports from the Office of Disaster Management in Antigua and Barbuda confirm that the earthquake caused damage to a number of older buildings in the capital St. John’s, including cracked foundations, broken utility lines, and collapsed sections of some historic structures. There have been no immediate confirmed reports of fatalities, though several people have been treated for minor injuries sustained during evacuations and falling debris.

    Power grids across the country were temporarily knocked offline as a precautionary measure, with utility crews working through the day to restore service to most residential and commercial areas. Telecommunication networks also experienced intermittent outages in the first few hours after the quake, but most have now been restored. Local emergency management teams have activated their national response protocols, setting up temporary shelters for residents displaced by damaged homes, and conducting preliminary damage assessments across both islands.

    The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has stated that it is standing by to provide additional support, including search and rescue teams, emergency supplies, and structural engineering expertise, if requested by the Antigua and Barbuda government. The US Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometers, which amplified the shaking felt on the surface. While an initial tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas of the Eastern Caribbean shortly after the quake, the warning was later canceled after ocean monitoring stations recorded no abnormal sea level changes.

    Tourism stakeholders, who represent the backbone of Antigua and Barbuda’s economy, have moved quickly to assess damage at resorts and tourist attractions on both islands. Early updates indicate that most major tourist infrastructure experienced only minor cosmetic damage, with hotels continuing to operate normally as of the latest reports. Local officials have emphasized that they are prioritizing clearing debris from roads and public spaces to return daily life to normal as quickly as possible, while reminding residents to remain alert for aftershocks that are common following significant seismic events.

  • Putin bezoekt China kort na Trump om strategische samenwerking te versterken

    Putin bezoekt China kort na Trump om strategische samenwerking te versterken

    Less than 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his first visit to Beijing in nearly a decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to travel to China for a two-day official visit starting May 19, 2026, according to an official announcement from the Kremlin. The high-profile meeting between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping is designed to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation that forms the backbone of relations between Moscow and Beijing.

    During his stay in the Chinese capital, Putin is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, with economic and trade cooperation topping the agenda for that discussion. The timing of the visit is particularly symbolic: it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, the landmark foundational agreement that has guided bilateral ties since it was first signed in 2001.

    Trump’s recent visit to China, which concluded just one day before Putin’s arrival, produced only limited outcomes. While the two leaders announced a handful of broad trade agreements, no visible progress was made on longstanding sensitive issues, including the status of Taiwan and ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. In contrast, Sino-Russian relations have continued to deepen steadily in recent years, even though the two countries have stopped short of forming a formal military alliance. Today, China stands as Russia’s largest single trading partner, and the vast majority of bilateral trade transactions are now conducted using either Russian rubles or Chinese yuan, a deliberate shift away from Western-dominated reserve currencies that has accelerated amid international sanctions.

    China’s stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict remains a point of international debate. Beijing has positioned itself as an officially neutral mediator working toward a peaceful resolution to the war, but its 2022 “no limits” partnership agreement with Russia has led many Western observers to question the credibility of that neutrality. Chinese authorities have repeatedly rejected accusations that Chinese state and private entities are providing material support to Russian drone production for use in the conflict.

    For both leaders, this upcoming meeting is more than a routine diplomatic engagement: it is a public reaffirmation of the close bilateral ties Moscow and Beijing have built over the past two decades, and a clear signal of their joint opposition to Western sanctions and what they frame as unilateralism in global affairs. Amid a rapidly shifting global balance of power, the two sides aim to use the visit to cement and expand their coordinated strategic cooperation for the years ahead.

  • Mt Pleasant edge Portmore in JPL semis first-leg

    Mt Pleasant edge Portmore in JPL semis first-leg

    In the opening leg of the Jamaica Premier League semi-final showdown hosted at Kingston’s National Stadium on Sunday, Mt Pleasant FA emerged with a fragile 1-0 advantage over Portmore United, setting up a tense decider scheduled for this Wednesday. The tightly contested match remained deadlocked through the first 45 minutes of play, with neither side able to crack the opposition’s defensive line. The game’s turning point arrived in controversial fashion in the 70th minute, when Portmore United thought they had secured the opening goal. Reggae Boy Corey Burke broke free from two Mt Pleasant defenders on the left flank, cut into the 18-yard box, and fired a shot that beat goalkeeper Shaquan Davis. The ball ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar before Mt Pleasant’s Kimoni Bailey cleared it from the goal line. Initially, referee Okeito Nicholson ruled the effort a good goal, but after a brief consultation with his assistant officials, he overturned the call, leaving Portmore United’s players and fans stunned. Just 11 minutes after that contentious decision, Mt Pleasant FA capitalized on their good fortune to take the lead. A long-range attempt from Raheem Edwards at the top of the 18-yard box fell loose just a few yards from goal, landing at the feet of substitute Warner Brown. Brown turned smoothly past a approaching defender and slotted the shot into the back of the net, putting his side ahead ahead of the return leg. The controversial call overshadowed much of the match buildup, with Portmore United still holding all to play for as they head into Wednesday’s decisive second leg needing to overturn the one-goal deficit to advance to the league final.

  • Racquil Broderick wins Big 10 discus title

    Racquil Broderick wins Big 10 discus title

    Over the past weekend, Jamaican collegiate athletes competing across multiple U.S. track and field conference championships turned in a series of impressive personal and program-defining performances, headlined by a surprise gold medal run at the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

    Hosted at the University of Nebraska, the closing day of the Big Ten meet brought a career-best breakthrough for Racquil Broderick, a Jamaican thrower representing the University of Southern California. Broderick launched the discus 62.80 meters to claim the men’s national conference title, marking a dramatic turnaround from his 9th-place finish at the same event one year prior. The win also cements his status as a top contender ahead of the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he finished fourth in 2023.

    Broderick was far from the only Jamaican athlete turning heads at major conference meets across the country. At the same Big Ten Championships, a pair of twin sisters from Purdue University made program history in the women’s discus throw. Britannia Johnson notched sixth place overall with a new personal best throw of 55.06 meters, while her sibling Britannie Johnson followed one spot behind with her own personal best of 54.60 meters. The result moved Britannie Johnson to fourth on Purdue’s all-time women’s discus rankings, just one position behind her sister. Britannie Johnson added two more top-10 finishes to her weekend, taking seventh in the women’s shot put (16.62 meters) and 10th in the women’s hammer throw.

    Other Big Ten highlights included Ohio State University’s Janela Spencer taking silver in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a wind-aided time of 12.52 seconds (with a 4.9 m/s tailwind), Minnesota’s Kitania Headley clocking a personal best 58.62 seconds to take seventh in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, Waukeem Walters of Minnesota placing seventh in the men’s long jump with a 7.56-meter effort, and Nebraska’s Rhianna Phipps notching fifth in the women’s triple jump with a wind-aided 13.29 meters. University of Oregon’s Kobe Lawrence also earned fourth place in the men’s shot put with a throw of 19.66 meters.

    Down in Mobile, Alabama, at the Sunbelt Conference Championships, Kimola Hinds of the University of Louisiana successfully defended her women’s discus throw title with a winning mark of 54.77 meters. Hinds’ teammate Mark Daley turned in a career-best performance of his own, running 20.62 seconds (0.6 m/s wind) to take silver in the men’s 200-meter dash — the third-fastest time in University of Louisiana program history. Daley also added a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter final with a time of 10.41 seconds.

    Across other conference competitions, Jazmyn James of the University of Memphis followed up her Friday win in the women’s shot put at the American Conference Championships with a silver medal and personal best in the women’s discus throw on Saturday, throwing 54.93 meters. North Texas’ Fabrienne Foster also hit a personal best to take sixth in that same event with a 50.37-meter throw. At the same meet, East Carolina’s Shakiel Dacres matched his fourth-place finish from the men’s shot put a day earlier to take fourth in the men’s discus with a 58.51-meter throw.

    Javel Fullerton of Southern Missouri took bronze in the men’s 400-meter hurdles at his conference championship with a time of 50.88 seconds, while Boston University’s Zachary Cox notched third place in the men’s 200-meter at the Patriot League Championships with a wind-aided 20.92 seconds (2.5 m/s), following a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter with a 10.51-second run.

  • Jordam Scott sets PB, new world lead in triple jump

    Jordam Scott sets PB, new world lead in triple jump

    In an impressive display of athletic excellence at the Coqui International Cup in Puerto Rico this Sunday, Jamaican triple jumper Jordan Scott delivered a career-defining performance that has already sent ripples through the global track and field community. Competing at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level meet, Scott launched himself to a 17.66m jump against a mild headwind of -0.67m/s, marking a new personal best and securing the top spot in the current men’s triple jump world rankings.

    This outstanding result marks a clear improvement on Scott’s previous career best of 17.52m, which he set back in July 2025. Beyond the personal milestone, Sunday’s winning jump also holds historic significance for Jamaican men’s triple jump: it stands as the longest legal jump recorded by any Jamaican athlete since rising star Jaydon Hibbert’s 17.75m leap at the 2024 Racers Grand Prix, where Hibbert set the current meet record. Scott’s win cements his status as one of the top contenders in the sport heading into the 2025 competitive season, drawing attention from fans and analysts across international track and field circuits.

  • Amid strike threat, finance and transport ministers to meet with public transport operators

    Amid strike threat, finance and transport ministers to meet with public transport operators

    Growing unrest among Jamaica’s public transport operators over their long-running push for adjusted ticket prices has prompted the country’s Ministry of Transport to call a high-stakes stakeholder meeting set to kick off on Monday, May 18, 2026. Scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Transport Centre located in Half-Way-Tree, St. Andrew, the gathering will bring together senior officials from the Transport Authority and leadership from groups representing bus and taxi operators across the nation. Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams is slated to deliver key remarks during the discussions, the ministry confirmed in an official statement issued late Sunday.

    The intensification of operators’ demands comes directly on the heels of steep global fuel price increases, triggered by ongoing geopolitical frictions that have sent energy costs soaring across international markets. Transport operators, already grappling with years of unmet requests for fare adjustments, now face amplified operational cost pressures from the fuel price shock, pushing their demands to a breaking point.

    In a comment released alongside the meeting announcement, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized that the Jamaican government remains acutely attuned to the dual pressures facing both transport workers and ordinary citizens. “The Government is sensitive to challenges facing members of the public who have been trying to cope with price adjustments caused by developments across the globe,” Vaz noted. The minister went on to acknowledge the legitimacy of operators’ concerns, pointing out that their wait for a fare revision has stretched across multiple years, and that the sudden spike in fuel costs has only deepened their financial strain.

    Vaz, who has held direct discussions with transport representative groups over the past several years on this very issue, stressed the urgent need for a balanced resolution. “We also recognise that it is important that a balance be struck and a solution arrived at which does not have major negative consequences for our economy and wider society,” he said. Calling for calm deliberations through the negotiation process, Vaz reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finding an outcome that addresses operators’ legitimate grievances without exacerbating the broader cost-of-living crisis that ordinary Jamaican households currently contend with. “We seeks to arrive at a solution that causes the least possible dislocation across the country but is also responsive to their genuine concerns and also mindful of the cost of living challenges which face the wider population,” he added.

  • WATCH: Cop interdicted after woman killed in Granville police shooting

    WATCH: Cop interdicted after woman killed in Granville police shooting

    In the quiet community of Granville, St James, Jamaica, a fatal shooting involving an on-duty Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officer has ignited public anger and triggered swift administrative action over the weekend. The victim, 44-year-old Latoya Bulgin, a local resident widely known by her nickname “Buju”, was killed during what law enforcement initially described as a confrontation with security personnel.

    Late Sunday, the JCF High Command issued an official statement confirming that the officer involved has been immediately interdicted from duty pending a full probe. The command emphasized that it holds deep concern over the suspicious circumstances surrounding Bulgin’s death, and moved quickly to notify two independent oversight bodies – the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the Inspectorate Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB) – to lead the independent investigation. Both agencies have already launched their comprehensive inquiries after the High Command ordered the suspension following a preliminary review of available evidence, including closed-circuit television footage from the area.

    Surveillance video obtained from local cameras has provided critical visual context for the incident, contradicting initial claims of a violent confrontation. The footage reveals that Bulgin was driving a black Toyota Voxy en route to a community protest in downtown Montego Bay when the incident unfolded. The protest had been organized to mark the death of 17-year-old Tjey Edwards, who lost his life the previous Sunday in another incident that locals allege also involved a member of the security forces.

    According to the recorded timeline from the CCTV footage, Bulgin’s vehicle came to a stop in Granville Square, where other passengers began exiting the car shortly after officers approached to interact with the vehicle’s occupants. Within seconds, as the Voxy pulled back onto the main roadway, the JCF officer drew what appeared to be a service firearm and fired a shot. After the shooting, officers removed the wounded Bulgin from the vehicle and transported her to a local hospital in a JCF service vehicle, though she could not be saved.

    In the wake of the shooting, furious local residents have publicly accused the JCF of extrajudicial murder, calling for full accountability for the officer involved. Local lawmaker Marlene Malahoo Forte, the Member of Parliament for St James West Central, arrived at the scene within hours to address the gathered crowd. Speaking to angry, grieving residents, Malahoo Forte acknowledged that the shooting was unjust and validated the community’s right to be angry and seek answers.

    She highlighted that the availability of clear CCTV footage would support a fast, transparent investigation, and appealed to residents to avoid any retaliatory actions that could bring harm or negative consequences to their community. “I know the community is angry, grieving and searching for answers. The good thing is that the investigation is being assisted by camera footage and the investigation has proceeded swiftly,” Malahoo Forte told the crowd. She urged residents to remain lawful, warning that unrest would only undermine efforts to get to the truth, and pledged to work closely with investigators to ensure full transparency and that the full facts of the case are brought to light.